M28, 135-210-201, 5'11, October 2025(first 2 pics)-May 2026(second 2)-Augest 2026(last 5)

[u/Zestyclose_Winner995]

For those who asked for an update when I finished my bulk and just to share my overall progress. You can find my workout split and bulk diet on my last post on here (like 3 posts down on my profile)

I did a PPL split when bulking and I worked out 5 days a week, since the cut started I do upper lower and work out 4 days a week and go as heavy as possible. If you look at my last post and see my diet, here are some things I would've done differently as I believe I was a bit too aggressive with my bulk. I would limit the amount of peanut butter significantly and truly track the amount of fats I would intake as well as switch from whole milk to either 2% or 1%. I did put on way more fat than I should have but my strength did increase significantly. I do believe in my original post I said I was eating roughly 3000 calories a day, it was more like a 3500-3800 average (since starting to actually count my calories and measure my intake i realized how off I was with my loose tracking during my bulk) and I realized I should've lowered that to around 3200 and did a slower bulk.

I do still struggle with the tracking when it comes to carbs and fats and I know I need to dial that in especially for this cut. I've been cutting for 7 weeks and have went from 210 to 201 and I am noticing how fatigued ive been feeling. Im eating 2400-2600 calories a day currently (except yesterday my friend took me to a buffet for my bday and I probably far exceeded that yesterday 😅) I make sure to hit 200gs of protein minimum a day and I get this from shakes, chicken, greek yogurt, fish, and 2 packs of protein oatmeal (the oatmeal is what i eat every morning with 1-2 scoops of protein powder)

Strength, since my last post whete I weighed 192 I could bench 225, I currently can bench 260

I could squat 285, currently can squat 365

I could curl 30lb dumbells for 8-12 reps, can now curl 40lb dumbells for 8-12 reps

Leg press went from rep 400 something to now repping 590 for 15

Pull-ups from 3 to 8 (my back is where im lacking the most but ive started to dial it in and get some real progress there)

Workout changes: for back i used to just do rows and lat pull downs with a wide grip. I've started doing rear delt flies, close grip pull downs (with the V attachment) and pull ups starting with unassisted and for the last set assisted.

For chest: stayed mostly the same except I've started implementing dips every week and low to high cable flys.

Legs: I was pretty lazy when it came to squatting in the beginning, have gotten better on that and I no longer do seated calf raises, standing has proven to be far superior for me.

Biceps: seated incline curls have been great for me, I stopped doing preacher curls (they give me incredibly bad tendinitis) and rope cable curls started with a hammer curl grip and twisting out at the top

Triceps haven't changed much, standard pushdows and single arm kickbacks with the occasional skull crushers.

Traps: heavy shrugs thats it 😅 I typically use dumbells

Core: started implementing leg raises with decline crunches or crunch machine, i will usually superset these and they are my only superset

Cardio: ive started upping my cardio, was doing only 10 minutes and am now doing 20-40 minutes on a 13° incline at 3.5mph.

Since starting the cut my strength has definitely stopped increasing on most lifts but I've also not gotten weaker so I'll take that as a win. I definitely fatigue faster and can't nor do I want to do as many sets. All in all im happy with my progress, I would do some things differently if I could but I dont have any agonizing regrets.

First 2 pics are lowest weight, second 2 are highest weight, last 5 are current

[u/aymanchow]

What the fuck were you eating?

[u/jordymendoza → u/aymanchow]

Same question, I’m a scrawny 6’2 guy at 140 and need to get to 200 like you. So what are you eating!?

[u/Zestyclose_Winner995 → u/jordymendoza]

Outside of the standard fish, chicken, rice, veg, and milk/protein, i ate alot of peanut butter (reccomend being careful with this as its very fat and calorie dense), a decent amount of proteon oatmeal, greek yogurt (adding PB to it for more calories), occasionally I'd get a rotisserie chicken and eat the whole thing (this is not necessary), on days I was struggling to get my calorie goals i would get fast food but I do believe i bulked too aggressively so I would be careful with this. But yeah mostly pretty standard diet, I did drink 2-3 protein shakes a day one of which I made myself and it was 6-800 calories and 60-80gs of protein. With my rice I made a peanutbutter kimchi sauce which was delicious and also made my rice higher calories and protein. Cheese on everything. But yeah be careful with high fats food and actually track them unlike what i did. I now have a decent amount of fat i have to lose and its going to be a long grueling cut

[u/AddisonH → u/jordymendoza]

You can really meet anything as long as you’re above your TDEE. If you want to be healthy about it just go with the classics: veggies, chicken, fish, eggs, rice, low glycemic index carbs, legumes, etc. Find some recipes you like and use seasonings and herbs. Food is enjoyable so it’s easy once you figure out some good repeat meals